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Sebastien Loeb Eyes Dakar Rally Glory with Dacia

Sebastien Loeb, the celebrated rally driver with nine World Rally Championship titles, maintains a grounded approach to his pursuit of victory in the Dakar Rally. Despite his impressive track record, including three runner-up finishes in the grueling event, he remains modest about the prospect of securing an overall win that has eluded him over eight attempts.

Loeb, who recently joined Dacia for the 2025 season of the World Rally-Raid Championship, acknowledges that while the Dakar Rally is a primary goal, he does not let the quest for victory dominate his mindset. “It’s not an obsession,” he stated. “Today it is my objective. But now I compete in cross-country and in the world championship. The Dakar Rally is the most special of the year, so it is not an obsession, but it is my main objective for the season.”

This season, Loeb will pilot the newly developed Dacia Sandrider, created in partnership with Prodrive, during the 47th edition of the Dakar Rally, taking place from January 3 to January 17. Alongside him, the team features Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah and former Extreme E teammate Cristina Gutierrez, collectively representing Dacia in a competitive field.

The Dacia trio will face stiff competition from established teams such as Ford/M-Sport, Toyota, Mini, and Century in a lineup that includes 64 entrants. To prepare adequately for this challenge, Dacia implemented an extensive testing regimen throughout 2024, which included participating in the Rally Morocco event last October.

Loeb expressed optimism regarding his readiness for the Dakar, highlighting the high level of motivation within the team and the extensive preparations undertaken. “It’s always difficult to say; of course, the aim is to fight for the win, it always is,” he remarked. He acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly in the initial stages of the rally but noted the team’s effective testing and the positive evolution of the car. “The feeling is good, everything is on the right track; it’s complicated, it’s difficult to put it all together. The motivation is there this year.”

Looking Ahead

As the Dakar Rally approaches, all eyes will be on Loeb and his Dacia team, eager to see if they can break through and claim that elusive title. With a blend of experience, determination, and innovation, they represent a formidable contender in what promises to be another thrilling edition of the world-renowned motorsport event.

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www.autosport.com